Granada
NICARAGUA | Sunday, 9 March 2008 | Views [135] | Comments [1]
Trust me, Granada is VERY colourful
I was looking forward to Granada, described by some as the jewel of
Nicaragua - my first impressions aren't so good though. A heaving
market, lots of rubbish, squashed vegetables and fruit in the street, a
jostling crowd dodging fume spewing vehicles, dozens of TVs blaring out
everything from Pokemon to kung-fu, a million dodgy Cd's and DVD´s
stacked along the side of the road and lots of competing stereos doing
their best to get through the whole collection. Did i mention the
noise, the dirt or the smells?
Ignoring first impressions as I've learnt to do, I've now come to
quite like Granada. Most of it was burnt to the ground by a filibuster
called William Walker about 150 years ago and now the whole town has
been restored, or is still in the process of restoration. The result
is a colourful maze of characterful streets, rustic houses and
beautiful churches all of which can be purveyed by horse drawn carts
for the rich and touristy. The central park is a delight, mango trees
provide shade for perfectly placed, people watching benches. Lined old
men spend their days sat around talking while the women take care of
the tiny stands selling nicknack's only a tourist could find a use
for. All is overlooked by gorgeous cafes, churches and hotels. The
whole town is virtually one level high and the view from one of the
church towers is spectacular - not a KFC in sight.
Of course it's not all good; tourists and beggars are everywhere,
and a walk down a side street becomes a tour de force of smells -
fumes, food, the ever present urine and the stomach pervading scent of
horse poo. Outside the main drag it doesn't have the safest feeling at
night time...I like Granada though, it grows on me everyday.
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